Bulats
University of Cambridge - ESOL ExaminationsCursosGoethe-InstitutAlliance FrancaiseALTE
Learning Resources
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Learning resources

 

Quality and Fairness

Cambridge ESOL is a not-for-profit department of the University of Cambridge. We believe we have a role and responsibility to develop language learning and assessment to help people achieve their life goals. As leaders in the field of language assessment, quality and fairness are at the centre of everything we do:

  • Quality - this means validity, reliability, impact and practicality.
  • Validity - the extent to which exam marks can be considered a true reflection of underlying ability.
  • Reliability - the extent to which test results are consistent, accurate and therefore dependable.
  • Impact - the positive effect of a test on candidates and other users, including society as a whole.
  • Practicality - the extent to which a test is workable in terms of the resources needed.
A test you can trust

You can be sure that BULATS has been developed to ensure reliability and that you will get the advice and support you need.

BULATS is developed and run by an international consortium of examination providers, working together as part of the Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE).

BULATS tests are developed according to the same standards as the partner organisations’ world famous language tests, and benefit from the same standards of quality control and customer service.

The partner organisations are:

  • University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (English)
  • Alliance Française (French)
  • Goethe-Institut (German)
  • Universidad de Salamanca (Spanish).

BULATS tests are distributed by BULATS test Agents throughout the world, who arrange the administration and marking of the written tests and provide advice and support for organisations using the tests.

BULATS ‘can do’ statements

Summary of Typical Candidate Abilities

CEFR ALTE Level Description
C2 5 Very Advanced

Research has shown that typical candidates at this level can:

  • use the telephone persuasively and effectively;
  • understand all but the most specialised letters and documents;
  • put points persuasively when dealing with clients, and speak effectively and at length in meetings;
  • write most kinds of letters and reports and take dictation on non-routine matters.
C1 4 Very Advanced

Research has shown that typical candidates at this level can:

  • use the telephone for most purposes;
  • understand quickly most letters and documents, with some dictionary help;
  • deal with clients effectively, handling matters outside their own field;
  • write most letters and reports with few errors.
B2 3 Upper Intermediate

Research has shown that typical candidates at this level can:

  • use the telephone with good understanding;
  • understand most reports and non-routine letters, with dictionary help;
  • deal with clients and resolve most problems in their own field;
  • write more complex messages and non-routine factual letters, if work is checked.
B1 2 Lower Intermediate

Research has shown that typical candidates at this level can:

  • use the telephone for routine messages (e.g. arrangements for a meeting);
  • understand routine letters and information about familiar products or services;
  • deal with clients on routine matters (e.g. taking orders) and engage in limited conversation (e.g. talking about personal interests);
  • write factual messages and routine letters, if work is checked.
A2 1 Elementary

Research has shown that typical candidates at this level can:

  • use the telephone for simple messages (e.g. My flight is late. I will arrive at ten o'clock);
  • state and understand simple messages or instructions;
  • deal with clients by asking and responding to simple questions (e.g. Where is the Post Office?);
  • write simple messages and letters following a standard model.
A1 0 Beginner Research has shown that typical candidates at this level may know some phrases, but cannot communicate in the language.
Below A1

ALTE = The Association of Language Testers in Europe

CEFR = The Council of Europe’s Common European Framework of Reference for Languages

The Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR)

Cambridge ESOL exams are aligned to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), published by the Council of Europe.

This internationally recognised framework describes language ability on a scale from A1 for beginners to C2 for those who have mastered a language.

BULATS scores cover all levels giving an accurate assessment of a candidate’s business English language skills.

For more information please visit: www.CambridgeESOL.org/CEFR

Framework

 

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